CATERING students from Nelson and Colne College welcomed TV weatherman Fred Talbot to their restaurant yesterday to mark the launch event for this year's Nelson Food Festival.

The search has now begun to find quality food businesses to take part in the popular event and Fred, who is famous for appearing on the floating map of the UK in Liverpool's Albert Dock, offered to help in the hunt.

He visited the college's training restaurant to find out what was on the menu for the festival and promised to demonstrate his cooking at this year's event on Saturday, May 25.

Fred said: "I've heard a lot about the Food Festival and can't wait to get involved this year. I urge local and regional food businesses to sign up for the event while stalls are still available."

This will be the first year that the college has taken part in the event.

During his visit Fred met college student Philip Marchant, who was among the finalists in Britain's premier student cooking competition the Nestle Toque D'Or.

Visitors to the festival will be able to sample the winning dish which has enabled Philip to reach the last four in the finals which are open to 120 catering colleges in the country. The national competition will be judged in June.

Leader of the council Azhar Ali said: "This year's Nelson Food Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever

and will help in our bid to put Pendle on the food map and boost local businesses."

The Food Festival is organised by Pendle Council and the Nelson Town Centre Forum and is supported by Pendle Partnership.